Hot Seat

FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT HOT SEAT - PAGE 5

By Edited by RedEye staff members (ritaredeye@tribune.com) | May 20, 2003

Carson Daly has one of MTV's most recognizable faces--and it's about to get bashed. The "Total Request Live" host will be in the hot seat for the first "MTV Bash," a roast-style show where friends and stars show their love by ripping Daly to shreds, Zap2It reports. The show will allow stars "to wipe that forced grin off their faces and unload like they never have before," says Brian Graden, MTV's president of programming. "According to MTV, it's a huge honor," Daly says, "that's what they keep telling me, anyway."

You'll finally get a chance to give that old chair in your attic or garage a new attitude when Anatomically Correct Gallery hosts a "Have an Artist Paint Your Chair Party" from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Bring in those wooden chairs and allow a group of volunteer artists to make them fittin' for sittin'. Or bring a paintbrush and help them out. The chair-painting party complements the gallery's current show, "The Hot Seat: An Exhibition of Unconventional Chairs," on display through Aug. 18. 1229 W. Belmont Ave. 312-514-1802.

1. Either him or Mary Jane Watson If any league is a fan of Harry Potter it has to be the NBA, because they love their ... um ... Potter. 2. If the 'do fits ... Did you know that David Beckham is the son of a hairdresser? On second thought, how would you NOT know! 3. Cactus league With the Cubs chasing Milwaukee, they're on the hot seat in this series against Arizona. At least it's a dry heat. 4. Runs in the family The Sky play San Antonio. 1) Since when does San Antonio have a WNBA team?

Illinois quarterback Jon Beutjer, whom the NCAA recently gave a sixth year to complete his collegiate eligibility, said he has heard rumors coach Ron Turner needs a winning season to keep his job. "I hear he's on the hot seat," Beutjer said. "I'm going to do everything I can . . . to make sure he stays here." The 1999 Wheaton Warrenville South graduate missed the last five games because of a back injury that required surgery and hopes his doctor clears him for spring practices. "I didn't want to leave on a 1-11 note," he said.

Former Senator Chuck Hagel is on the hot seat and maybe or maybe not for good reason. Whatever the committee has against him has him unable to respond the way they want. Here's what I know about him: He was enlisted grunt the Vietnam War and he has two Purple Hearts. He would be the last person to send our children and grandchildren off to a war that becomes a 12-year fiasco without a exit plan and that tries to democratize a country rife with corruption and warring tribes - as did George W. Bush.

Might "The View" ladies get a dose of testosterone with their morning coffee? Maybe so. Producers are considering replacing Rosie O'Donnell with a man. "We are open to trying a variety of guest co-hosts who bring a unique voice to the show," said executive producer Bill Geddie, reports people.com. And two dudes are getting some buzz. Mario Cantone, who played Charlotte's friend Anthony on "Sex and the City," will guest co-host on July 12; while Ross Mathews, better known as Ross the Intern on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," will take a turn in the hot seat July 17. "It's high time they put a gay man on that panel," said former "View" co-host Debbie Matenopoulos.

The NBA season is less than two weeks old, and Isiah Thomas already is whining about his critics. Thomas, entering his third year as coach of the Indiana Pacers, has been called a coach on the hot seat by a number of preseason prognosticators. Thomas already has taken some shots back. "I find it all interesting, because it wasn't like we were losing [last year]. We went to the playoffs," Thomas said. "[To talk like that] as opposed to understanding what this team has accomplished?

RedEye's Scott Kleinberg takes the hot seat today. It's not the hot seat in the typical sense; it's the hot seat because Phil usually sits there. Sign up at redeyechicago.com/fiveonfive. Jimmy Greenfield Scott Kleinberg Leo Ebersole Brian Moore Bag Boy TOPIC 1: THE BEARS' PASSING ATTACK LOOKED GOOD IN SATURDAY'S WIN. DOES THAT MEAN ANYTHING? It means a lot. Until you realize it means nothing. It means that to get to the Super Bowl, it's got to look great.

Western Conference 1. San Jose Sharks: They couldn't beat Antti Niemi last spring when he played for Chicago, so they signed him. 2. Detroit Red Wings: Late rush last season overcame injury-riddled start. 3. Vancouver Canucks: Great balance up front, mobile defense in front of Roberto Luongo. 4. Blackhawks: Still better than most after salary cap-driven housecleaning. 5. Los Angeles Kings: Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar are heart of rising team.